Connection apparatus for connecting a source over a network to a predetermined destination, connecting method, and storage medium for storing computer-readable program having connecting functions

ABSTRACT

A connection apparatus is disclosed which includes a connection source and a connection destination. The connection source includes information about a predetermined connection destination; and a connecting element for making a connection request to the predetermined connection destination based on the information about the connection destination and, given a permission, for automatically connecting to the connection destination. The predetermined connection destination includes a receiving element for receiving the connection request from the connection source, a judging element which, upon interpreting the connection request, judges whether the connection source is a predetermined connection source or not, and a permission granting element which, if the judging element judges the connection source to be a predetermined connection source, then grants connection permission to the connection source.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a connection apparatus and a connectingmethod for automatically connecting a connection source to a connectiondestination, as well as a computer-readable program storage medium whichstores a program offering connecting functions for establishing suchconnection.

Galloping developments in the information industry in recent years haveled to widespread use of networks such as the Internet for datacommunication. Such networks are connected to numerous electronicdevices including personal computers, data terminals and servercomputers. Generally, users gain access to the Internet through apreviously contracted Information service provider. Conventionally,before hooking up to the Internet, users must make necessary settings ontheir PCs (all on their own) to establish connection to the Internetservice provider.

The setting procedure involved is often so arcane and baffling that thegeneral user with little specialized knowledge in the field has had ahard time completing the required settings. Because users with no suchspecial knowledge are steadily on the increase, there is a growing needfor suitable means allowing the users to handle network-ready electronicdevices with ease.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a connectionapparatus and a connecting method for readily connecting a connectionsource to a connection destination without the need for specialsettings, as well as a computer-readable program storage medium whichstores a program with connecting functions capable of readilyestablishing such connection.

To achieve the above object, according to a first aspect of the presentinvention, there is provided a connection apparatus for automaticallyconnecting a connection source to a predetermined connectiondestination, the connection source, including: information about thepredetermined connection destination; and a connecting element formaking a connection request to the predetermined connection destinationbased on the information about the predetermined connection destinationand, given a permission, for automatically connecting to the connectiondestination; and the predetermined connection destination, including: areceiving element for receiving the connection request from theconnection source; a judging element which, upon interpreting theconnection request, judges whether the connection source is apredetermined connection source or not; and a permission grantingelement which, if the judging element judges the connection source to bea predetermined connection source, grants connection permission to theconnection source.

With this configuration, the information about the connectiondestination can be set to the connection source beforehand. Based onthat information, the connection source can make a connection request tothe connection destination. Upon receipt of the connection request fromthe connection source, the connection destination can interpret therequest and judges whether the connection source is a predeterminedconnection source or not. If the connection source is judged to be apredetermined connection source by the judging element, then connectionpermission can be granted to the connection source. This allows theconnection source to hook up automatically to the predeterminedconnection destination.

With this configuration, the connection source may be connected to theconnection destination without intervention of an Internet serviceprovider being contracted.

This preferred structure supplements the functions of the first aspectof the invention with another function allowing the connection source tohook up automatically to the predetermined connection destinationwithout intervention of any Internet service provider under contract.

In a second preferred structure of the connection apparatus according tothe first aspect of the invention, the connection request may constitutea request for connection to an Internet service provider as well as arequest for connection to the receiving means.

With this configuration, the functions of the first aspect of theinvention with another function allow the connection source to makefirst a connection request to an Internet service provider and then aconnection request to the receiving element of the connectiondestination. The connection source can thus connect automatically firstto the Internet service provider and then to the predeterminedconnection destination.

In a third preferred structure of the connection apparatus according tothe first aspect of the invention, the connection source may be aprinter.

This preferred structure supplements the functions of the first aspectof the invention with another function allowing the connection sourceserving as the printer to hook up automatically to the connectiondestination.

In a fourth preferred structure of the inventive connection apparatusderived from the third preferred structure thereof, the printer may beconnected to the predetermined connection destination using a triggersignal issued upon initial power-up.

With this configuration, the inventive connection apparatus with anotherfunction allows the printer to hook up automatically to the connectiondestination upon initial power-up with no specific settings made.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided aconnecting method for automatically connecting a connection source to apredetermined connection destination, the method comprising the stepsof: setting information about the predetermined connection destinationto the connection source in advance; causing the connection source tomake a connection request to the predetermined connection destinationbased on the information about the predetermined connection destination;causing the predetermined connection destination to receive theconnection request from the connection source in order to judge whetherthe connection source is a predetermined connection source or not uponinterpreting the connection request; if the connection source is judgedto be a predetermined connection source by the judging means, thengranting connection permission to the connection source; and connectingthe connection source to the predetermined connection destination.

With this configuration, the information about the connectiondestination can be set to the connection source beforehand. Based onthat information, the connection source makes a connection request tothe connection destination. Upon receipt of the connection request fromthe connection source, the connection destination interprets the requestand judges whether the connection source is a predetermined connectionsource or not. If the connection source is judged to be a predeterminedconnection source in the judging step, then connection permission can begranted to the connection source. This allows the connection source tohook up automatically to the predetermined connection destination.

In a first preferred variation of the connecting method according to thesecond aspect of the invention, the connection source may be connectedto the connection destination without intervention of an Internetservice provider being contracted.

With this configuration, the functions of the second aspect of theinvention with another function allow the connection source to hook upautomatically to the predetermined connection destination withoutintervention of any Internet service provider under contract.

In a second preferred variation of the connecting method according tothe second aspect of the invention, the connection request mayconstitute a request for connection to an Internet service provider aswell as a request for connection to the connection destination.

With this configuration, the functions of the second aspect of theinvention with another function allow the connection source to makefirst a connection request to an Internet service provider and then aconnection request to the connection destination. The connection sourcecan thus connect automatically first to the Internet service providerand then to the predetermined connection destination.

In a third preferred variation of the connecting method according to thesecond aspect of the invention, the connection source may be a printer.

This preferred variation supplements the functions of the second aspectof the invention with another function allowing the user who acquiredthe printer as the connection source to establish connectionautomatically to the connection destination.

In a fourth preferred variation of the inventive connecting methodderived from the third preferred variation thereof, the printer may beconnected to the predetermined connection destination using a triggersignal issued upon initial power-up.

With this configuration, the functions of the third preferred variationof the inventive connecting method with another function allow theprinter to hook up automatically to the connection destination uponinitial power-up, with no specific settings required.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided acomputer-readable program storage medium which stores a program withconnecting functions comprising the steps of: setting information aboutthe predetermined connection destination to the connection source inadvance; causing the connection source to make a connection request tothe predetermined connection destination based on the information aboutthe predetermined connection destination; causing the predeterminedconnection destination to receive the connection request from theconnection source in order to judge whether the connection source is apredetermined connection source or not upon interpreting the connectionrequest; if the connection source is judged to be a predeterminedconnection source by the judging means, then granting connectionpermission to the connection source; and connecting the connectionsource to the predetermined connection destination.

With this configuration, the information about the connectiondestination can be set to the connection source beforehand. Based onthat information, the connection source makes a connection request tothe connection destination. Upon receipt of the connection request fromthe connection source, the connection destination interprets the requestand judges whether the connection source is a predetermined connectionsource. If the connection source is judged to be a predeterminedconnection source in the judging step, then connection permission can begranted to the connection source. This allows the connection source tohook up automatically to the predetermined connection destination.

In a first preferred variation of the computer-readable program storagemedium according to the third aspect of the invention, the connectionsource may be connected to the connection destination withoutintervention of an Internet service provider being contracted.

With this configuration, the functions of the third aspect of theinvention with another function allow the connection source to hook upautomatically to the predetermined connection destination withoutintervention of any Internet service provider under contract.

In a second preferred variation of the computer-readable program storagemedium according to the third aspect of the invention, the connectionrequest may constitute a request for connection to an Internet serviceprovider as well as a request for connection to the connectiondestination.

With this configuration, the functions of the third aspect of theinvention with another function allow the connection source to makefirst a connection request to an Internet service provider and then aconnection request to the connection destination. The connection sourcecan thus connect automatically first to the Internet service providerand then to the predetermined connection destination.

In a third preferred variation of the computer-readable program storagemedium according to the third aspect of the invention, the connectionsource may be a printer.

With this configuration, the functions of the third aspect of theinvention with another function allow the user who acquired the printeras the connection source to establish connection automatically to theconnection destination.

In a fourth preferred variation of the inventive computer-readableprogram storage medium derived from the third preferred variationthereof, the printer may be connected to the predetermined connectiondestination using a trigger signal issued upon initial power-up.

With this configuration, the functions of the third preferred variationof the inventive storage medium with another function allow the printerto hook up automatically to the connection destination upon initialpower-up with no specific settings made.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a connection system practiced asone preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of another connection system shownin FIG. 1 according to the invention;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an electrical structure of a printershown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram depicting a software module structure of aprinter and a service center server;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of steps outlining the workings of the connectionsystem in FIG. 1 and others; and

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a typical screen displayed on a printerdisplay unit.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described withreference to the accompanying drawings.

Although the embodiments, examples or variations of this invention to bediscussed below are subject to various technically preferredconstraints, they are not limitative of the invention unlessspecifically noted otherwise.

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a connection system 100 practicedas one preferred embodiment of the invention.

The connection system 100 (connection apparatus) has a service centerserver 23 (connection destination) connected physically to printers 5(connection sources) via a network 90. The printers 5 may alternativelybe connected to the network 90 via repeaters such as rooters, not shown.The printers 5 and the service center server 23 are connected in amanner permitting data communication therebetween.

There should be at least one printer 5 purchased by a user. The printer5 operates illustratively on the ink jet principle and is capable ofprinting on suitable sheets of paper. That means the printer 5 needs tobe replenished from time to time with ink for the amount consumedprinting on paper sheets.

The service center server 23 is a server computer installed at a servicecenter that offers services such as maintenance of printers 5. Theservice center server 23 provides users of printers 5 with menus ofservice offerings made up of various maintenance preferences. Theofferings include collecting a used-up ink cartridge or head assembly(integrating an ink cartridge with an ink jet head) of the printer 5 andreplacing it with a new one.

The network 90 may illustratively be a LAN (Local Area Network) or WAN(Wide Area Network); obviously it may also be what is known as anintranet. The connection system 100, as shown in FIG. 2, may constitutea connection system 100 a (connection apparatus) having printers 5hooked up to the Internet 101 via an Internet service provider 103. TheInternet 101 in FIG. 2 is one example of the network 90 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an electrical structure of the printer5 in FIG. 1. The printer 5 includes a RAM (Random Access Memory) 61, aROM (Read Only Memory) 63, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 67, a headdrive unit 73, a head assembly 7, a head detection unit 75, a printercontrol unit 77, a printer mechanism 10, a printer diagnostic unit 79, acommunication control unit 69, a modem 71, a display unit 76, and aninterface 65.

The RAM 61 is a storage medium to and from which data may be written andread, serving as a working area of the CPU 67. The ROM 63 is a read-onlystorage medium whose contents are used by the CPU 67. The ROM 63 mayalternatively be of a type of memory allowing its contents to beupdated. The CPU 67 is connected to the RAM 61, ROM 63, head drive unit73, head detection unit 75, printer control unit 77, printer diagnosticunit 79, communication control unit 69, display unit 76, and interface65. The CPU 67 controls these components and acquires data from them.

The head drive unit 73 controls operation of the head assembly 7 undercontrol of the CPU 67. The head assembly 7 is made up of an inkcartridge and an ink-jet head cartridge. The head detection unit 75 iscapable of obtaining relevant information from the head assembly 7 thatis mounted removably on the printer 5. Illustratively, the headdetection unit 75 detects mounting of the head assembly 7 onto theprinter 5.

The printer control unit 77 controls operation of the printer mechanism10 under control of the CPU 67. The printer mechanism 10 represents thewhole printing mechanisms in the printer 5. The status of the printermechanism 10 is diagnosed by the printer diagnostic unit 79.

The communication control unit 69 controls the modem 71, operating undercontrol of the CPU 67. The communication control unit 69 controlscommunications of the printer 5. The modem 71 serves to convert digitaldata from the communication control unit 69 into analog data.Alternatively, the communication control unit 69 may perform itscommunication using digital data in a LAN connection setup withoutrecourse to analog data arrangements. In such a case, the modem 71 needsto be replaced by a suitable interface such as a network card. Thedisplay unit 76 displays necessary images and characters under controlof the CPU 67. The interface 65 may illustratively permit connectionwith a Centronics interface printer cable or a LAN cable in a networkenvironment in order to communicate image or character data to beprinted.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram depicting a software module structure of theprinter 5 and a server center server 23. In FIG. 4, the network 90 isshown simplified. The software structure may have part or all of itscomponent modules combined or integrated as desired.

In the printer 5, the CPU 67 of FIG. 3 uses the RAM 61 as a work area inwhich to run software. The printer 5 in FIG. 4 illustratively comprisesa printer information table 127, a connection module 131 (connectingmeans), a reception module 123, and a setting module 125.

The printer information table 127 contains a printer ID (identification)assigned uniquely to each printer 5 as a connection source; connectiondestination information (information about a predetermined connectiondestination) representing the service center server 23 as the connectiondestination; menus of maintenance offerings; and connecting methodinformation. The printer ID allows the server center server 23 toidentify each of the multiple printers 5 configured. The connectiondestination information may illustratively be a telephone number of atelephone line (including a cellular phone line) or an IP (InternetProtocol) address used by the service center server 23. The menus ofmaintenance offerings show what kinds of maintenance services theprinter 5 may receive from the service center server 23. The printerinformation table 127 is stored illustratively in the ROM 63 of FIG. 3.

Upon detecting a trigger signal TG from a power supply 113, theconnection module 131 acquires query information 109 including theprinter ID, connection destination information and menus of maintenanceofferings from the printer information table 127, and transmits theacquired information automatically to the service center server 23 overthe network 90. That is, the connection module 131 makes a connectionrequest to the service center server 23.

The reception module 123 receives response information 111 from theservice center server 23. The setting module 125 may write contents ofthe response information 111 to the printer information table 127. Thecontents of the response information 111 illustratively make up newmaintenance detail information that may be received by the printer 5.The contents appear as menus of maintenance offerings on the displayunit 76 when the printer 5 is turned on next time.

The service center server 23 has an automatic response module 119(receiving means), a matching module 117 (judging means, permissiongranting means), a customer management table 115, and a transmissionmodule 121 (permission granting means). The customer management table115 illustratively has printer IDs stored therein which are used toidentify the printers that have been sold and are subject tomaintenance. Typically, the automatic response module 119 remainscontinuously active, receiving and responding to the query information109 from the printers 5. The matching module 117 searches the customermanagement table 115 for a printer ID, i.e., a search key included inthe query information 119 received by the automatic response module 119.

By making the search, the matching module 117 judges whether there isany matching printer ID. If no matching printer ID is found, thematching module 117 generates response information 111 that will rejectconnection with the printer 5 in question. If the matching printer ID isfound in the table, the matching module 117 acquires the maintenanceofferings from the customer management table 115 and generates responseinformation 111 accordingly. In that case, the response information 111supplements the connection source information with the connectiondestination information indicative of the service center server 23.Based on the connection destination information included in the responseinformation 111, the transmission module 121 transmits the responseinformation 111 to the applicable printer 5.

The structure of the connection system 100 or 100 a has been describedso far. Discussed below by referring to FIGS. 1 through 4 is how thesystem establishes its connection.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of steps outlining the workings of the connectionsystem 100 and others. FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a typical screendisplayed on the display unit 76 of the printer 5.

Setting Steps

-   -   In the service center server 23 of FIG. 4, the customer        management table 115 retains beforehand printer IDs and        maintenance information applicable to each of the printers 5        purchased and installed by users. The printer IDs are held in        the customer management table 115 so as to identify the printers        5 that may receive maintenance from the service center. The        service center thus provides maintenance services to only those        users that are in possession of the suitably identified printers        5.        Connection Requesting Steps    -   In step ST1 of FIG. 5, the user installs the printer 5 and turns        on its power source. In step St2, a screen shown in FIG. 6        appears on the display unit 76 of the printer 5. The screen        primarily shows menus of connectable lines and available        services. These details are displayed on the basis of the        connecting method information and maintenance offerings        contained in the printer information table 127 of FIG. 4. More        specifically, under the heading “Available Services” come        subtitle indications “Online Automatic Maintenance,” “Online        Manual Maintenance,” “Offline Maintenance” and “No Maintenance        Needed.”

The “online automatic maintenance” works in such a manner that when,say, ink is judged to have been exhausted in the ink cartridge of thehead assembly 7 in the printer 5 of FIG. 3, a new ink cartridge or headassembly 7 is delivered automatically from the service center to theprinter site for replenishment. If this maintenance service is selected,one of two options may be picked by the user: “always-on connection tothe Internet,” or “automatic connection to the Internet upon contact”(for lack of ink) as shown in FIG. 6.

The “always-on connection to the Internet” signifies that the printer 5is always connected actively to the service center 23 through aperpetual hookup to the Internet that is one example of the network 90in FIG. 4. In this setup, the printer 5 may communicate with the servicecenter server 23 whenever the ink level drops below a predeterminedthreshold. The “automatic connection to the Internet upon contact,” onthe other hand, signifies that the printer 5 hooks up automatically tothe service center server 23 through the Internet when ink is judgedexhausted. In this case, the printer 5 contacts the service centerserver 23 only when the ink level is low. Since connection isestablished only when necessary, connection charges can be reduced.

The “online manual maintenance” allows the user to place orders manuallyfor a new ink cartridge or head assembly 7 with the server centerillustratively when the ink level in the cartridge is judged to be lowin the head assembly 7 of the printer 5 in FIG. 3. If this maintenanceservice is selected, one of four options may be picked: “always-onconnection to the Internet,” “automatic connection to the Internet uponcontact” (for lack of ink), “manual connection to the Internet asneeded,” or “telephone line connection.”

The “always-on connection to the Internet” and the “automatic connectionto the Internet upon contact” were discussed above and thus will not bedescribed further. The “manual connection to the Internet as needed”signifies that the user will connect the printer 5 manually to theservice center server 23 through the Internet when ink is judgedexhausted. This type of connection allows the printer 5 to hook up tothe service center server 23 only when ink is exhausted and needs to bereplenished. Since connection is established only when necessary,connection charges can be reduced.

The “telephone line connection” signifies that the user will get theprinter 5 to directly call a dedicated telephone number of the servicecenter server 23 at the service center without utilizing the network 90such as the Internet. In this case, both the printer 5 and the servicecenter server 23 should be capable of connecting to one another withoutintervention of the network 90 typified by the Internet. This type ofconnection permits direct hookup of the printer 5 to the service centerserver 23 without the user having to sign a contract with an Internetservice provider. This allows the printer 5 to be connected and servicedthe same way as described above without the intermediary. With this typeof connection adopted, the user need only install the printer 5 beforereceiving maintenance services from the service center.

The “offline maintenance” signifies that when, say, ink is judgedexhausted in the ink cartridge of the head assembly 7 in the printer 5of FIG. 3, the user will place orders for a new ink cartridge or headassembly 7 with the service center by telephone or like means inaccordance with the menu display on the display unit 76. Where thismaintenance service is selected, the user opts for “placing of ordersover telephone, etc.” as shown in FIG. 6.

The “no maintenance needed” alternative signifies that when, say, theink level is judged low in the ink cartridge of the head assembly 7 inthe printer 5 of FIG. 3, the user will not place orders for a new inkcartridge or head assembly 7 with the service center by telephone or thelike according to the menu display on the display unit 76. That is, theuser will directly call the service center at his or her own discretionwhen placing orders for maintenance purposes.

In step ST3 of FIG. 5, the display unit 76 of the printer 5 displays anexplanation of maintenance details and charge schedules. The chargesapply to the maintenance services that the user may utilize whenreplenishing the printer 5 with ink. In step ST4 of FIG. 5, the userdecides on the desired maintenance service and charge schedules for theprinter 5.

In step ST5 of FIG. 5, the user is prompted to check the alternativemethods of connecting the printer 5 to the service center server 23.Specifically, the display unit 76 of the printer 5 displays “Always-onConnection to the Internet,” “Automatic Connection to the Internet,”“Manual Connection to the Internet,” “Use Telephone Line Only,” and “NoConnection” as shown in FIG. 6. The specifics of these preferences havebeen discussed above and thus will not be described further.

In step ST6 of FIG. 5, the display unit 76 displays either access pointsof the service center server 23 if connection is to be establishedwithout recourse to any Internet service provider 103 in FIG. 1, oraccess points of the Internet service provider 103 if connection betweenthe printer 5 and the service center server 23 should pass through theInternet service provider 103. These access points are indicated on thebasis of the connection destination information held in the printerinformation table 127 of FIG. 4. The access point display allows theuser to connect the printer 5 to an appropriate access point dependingon the permanent or roaming location of the printer.

In step ST7 of FIG. 5, the user selects one of the access points. Instep ST8 of FIG. 5, a telephone line hooked up to a public switchedtelephone network is connected to a suitable port of the printer 5. Thetelephone line may alternatively be connected earlier to the printer 5.

In step ST9 of FIG. 5, the printer 5 allows the connection module 131 ofFIG. 4 to connect in a desired manner (e.g., automatically) to theservice center server 23. With connection established, the printer 5transmits query information 109 to the service center server 23. Thequery information 109 is made up of the printer ID and user informationsuch as the selected maintenance service and the telephone number of theconnection source. The printer 5 of FIG. 4 in turn acquires responseinformation 111 from the service center server 23. The printer 5 is nowready to run (in step ST10).

The above-described preferred embodiment eliminates the need for theuser to make complicated settings and allows the printer 5 to hook upeasily to the service center server 23. Because the printer 5 can beconnected automatically to the service center server 23, the printer 5may illustratively receive maintenance services whereby ink is consumedin cost-efficient fashion. The automated hookup also allows the printer5 to be serviced in a more environment-friendly manner.

The embodiment above is only an example and not limitative of theinvention. Illustratively, a program or programs constituting the seriesof steps described above may be installed into a computer for execution,carried by suitable program storage media such as package mediaincluding floppy disks, CD-ROMs (Compact Disc-Read Only Memories) andDVDs (Digital Versatile Discs); or semiconductor memories, magneticdisks and the like where the programs are stored temporarily orpermanently. Such program storage media may accommodate the programsthat have been delivered through wired or wireless communication mediasuch as local area networks, the Internet, and digital satellitebroadcasting networks, as well as through diverse communicationinterfaces such as routers and modems. The printers 5 and the servicecenter server 23 discussed above may each have a drive unit at leastcapable of reading data from any one of these program storage media.

Although the foregoing embodiment was shown having the user select themethod of connecting the printer 5 to the service center server 23, thisis not limitative of the invention. Alternatively, automatic connectionalone may be offered and the user's intervention eliminated.

Any of the component blocks or modules making up the above-describedembodiment may be omitted in part or may be combined in a mannerdifferent from what was discussed above.

In brief, as described, the invention provides a connection apparatus, aconnecting method and a storage medium for storing a computer-readableprogram having connecting functions whereby a connection source isconnected easily to a connection destination with no complicatedsettings required.

As many apparently different embodiments of this invention may be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope thereof, it is to beunderstood that the invention is not limited to the specific embodimentsthereof except as defined in the appended claims.

1. A connection apparatus for automatically connecting a connectionsource over a network to a predetermined connection destination using atrigger signal issued upon initial power-up; wherein the connectionsource is a printer and the predetermined connection destinationprovides maintenance for said printer over said network; wherein saidconnection source comprises: information about said predeterminedconnection destination; menus of maintenance offerings; connectingmethod information; and connecting means for making a connection requestto said predetermined connection destination based on said informationabout said predetermined connection destination, menus of maintenanceofferings, and connecting method information and, given a permission,for automatically connecting to said connection destination; saidconnection request including a connection source identification foridentifying said connection source; and wherein said predeterminedconnection destination includes plural connection source identificationsfor identifying a plurality of connection sources; the predeterminedconnection destination comprises: receiving means for receiving saidconnection request from said connection source; judging means which,upon interpreting said connection request, judges whether saidconnection source is a predetermined connection source or not bychecking said connection source identification against said pluralconnection source identifications; and permission granting means which,if said judging means judges said connection source to be apredetermined connection source, grants connection permission to saidconnection source, wherein the connection means determines whether theconnection is a continuous connection or a connection upon contact suchthat a continuous connection enables the printer to be continuouslyactively connected to the network and connection upon contact enablesthe printer to be connected to the connection source upon an event atthe printer.
 2. A connection apparatus according to claim 1, whereinsaid connection source is connected to said connection destinationwithout intervention of an Internet service provider being contracted.3. A connecting method for automatically connecting a connection sourceover a network to a predetermined connection destination using a triggersignal issued upon initial power-up; wherein the connection source is aprinter and the predetermined connection destination providesmaintenance for said printer over said network; the method comprisingthe steps of: setting information about said predetermined connectiondestination to said connection source in advance; causing saidconnection source to make a connection request to said predeterminedconnection destination based on said information about saidpredetermined connection destination, menus of maintenance offerings,and connecting method information; said connection request including aconnection source identification for identifying said connection source;causing said predetermined connection destination to receive saidconnection request from said connection source in order to judge whethersaid connection source is a predetermined connection source or not uponinterpreting said connection request; the predetermined connectiondestination including plural connection source identifications foridentifying a plurality of connection sources; the predeterminedconnection destination judging whether said connection source is apredetermined connection source by checking said connection sourceidentification against said plural connection source identifications; ifsaid connection source is judged to be a predetermined connection sourceby said judging means, then granting connection permission to saidconnection source; and connecting said connection source to saidpredetermined connection destination, determining whether the connectionis a continuous connection or a connection upon contact such that acontinuous connection enables the printer to be continuously activelyconnected to the network and connection upon contact enables the printerto be connected to the connection source upon an event at the printer.4. A connecting method according to claim 3, wherein said connectionsource is connected to said connection destination without interventionof an Internet service provider being contracted.
 5. A computer-readableprogram storage medium used for a connecting method for automaticallyconnecting a connection source over a network to a predeterminedconnection destination, which stores a program with connectingfunctions, using a trigger signal issued upon initial power-up; whereinthe connection source is a printer and the predetermined connectiondestination provides maintenance for said printer over said network;said program comprising the steps of: setting information about saidpredetermined connection destination to said connection source inadvance; causing said connection source to make a connection request tosaid predetermined connection destination based on said informationabout said predetermined connection destination, menus of maintenanceofferings, and connecting method information; said connection requestincluding a connection source identification for identifying saidconnection source; causing said predetermined connection destination toreceive said connection request from said connection source in order tojudge whether said connection source is a predetermined connectionsource or not upon interpreting said connection request; thepredetermined connection destination including plural connection sourceidentifications for identifying a plurality of connection sources; thepredetermined connection destination judging whether said connectionsource is a predetermined connection source by checking said connectionsource identification against said plural connection sourceidentifications; if said connection source is judged to be apredetermined connection source by said judging means, then grantingconnection permission to said connection source; and connecting saidconnection source to said predetermined connection destination,determining whether the connection is a continuous connection or aconnection upon contact such that a continuous connection enables theprinter to be continuously actively connected to the network andconnection upon contact enables the printer to be connected to theconnection source upon an event at the printer.
 6. A computer-readableprogram storage medium according to claim 5, wherein said programfurther comprises a connecting function for connecting said connectionsource to said connection destination without intervention of anInternet service provider being contracted.